Hughes fell to the SCG turf seconds after attempting to hook a bouncer from Sean Abbott during the Sheffield Shield clash between NSW and South Australia.

Hughes received CPR at the scene and was then taken by ambulance to nearby St Vincent’s.

St Vincent’s Hospital spokesman David Faktor said Tuesday: “He underwent a set of scans to establish the extent of his injuries and then a decision was made to perform surgery.

“I understand they intubated him at the scene. He is the best of hands and surrounded by a leading team.”

Phillip Hughes is struck on the head by a delivery during Sheffield Shield match NSW v SA

Phillip Hughes is struck on the head by a delivery during Sheffield Shield match NSW v SA at the SCG. pic. Phil Hillyard

NSW team doctor John Orchard accompanied the South Australia batsman to hospital.

The left-hander initially put his hands on his knees after being hit, before falling down onto the pitch face-first.

The Blues players immediately rushed in to help their former teammate and called for medical help from the dressing rooms.

Hughes was eventually stretchered off in a medicab and appeared to be receiving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, with close friend and former Test teammate David Warner alongside him.

The 25-year-old was taken to the edge of the field, where a sheet was erected so spectators could not see him receiving treatment.

A medical helicopter landed on the field a short while later, with play suspended.

Teammates and friends have kept a vigil at the hospital in the hours since Hughes’ admission.

The 25-year-old - he was due to turn 26 on Sunday - played 26 Tests and scored 1,535 runs at 32.65, including three centuries.

He was considered a front runner to replace injured Michael Clarke in the first Test against India starting next week.

On 11 January 2013, Hughes became the first Australian batsman in the history of ODI cricket to score a century on debut, a feat which he achieved in Melbourne against Sri Lanka. Hughes was also the youngest cricketer ever to score back-to-back centuries in a test match, a feat which he achieved in Durban, 2009 against South Africa.

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